Days of the Week, Mixed Up

Find…

…the misshapen M&M.

Saizen Shopping XD

Thursday of last week, July 22nd, Cristina of Saizen posted a comment in a blog entry I have about an Eraser Party XD It was regarding a bloggers’ tour to be held in one of their stores, so I sent her an email telling her I was very much interested. She then sent me an invite for July 30th, so yay XD

So last Friday, after Nihongo class, my sister and I, with the help of her boyfriend, went to Trinoma to check out the new store of Saizen located there. Other bloggers came and we were all given GCs which we can use for shopping XD We were also allowed to take photos and take note of our Top 5 finds. This is kind of hard for me because I love so many of the stuff that they have XD 

During the free tour, I took photos of various Japanese items which caught my attention or which I particularly like, and then I bought some things too for myself XD I’ve bought a number of other items before in my previous visits to their store in Galleria, so I was able to choose and buy other things. I will be posting some of the photos here, but a more detailed blog post about Saizen as a store, plus the post about the Top 10 things I chose to buy, each with a story behind it, can be found in another blog. 

One of the beautiful things I found was this set of fish, which can be commonly seen when the Japanese celebrate the festival of Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Festival. My sister bought it because she likes to have it around for her Fish business (^^,)

Daruma. They are all staring at you. XD

Super cute erasers to add to the collection (^^,)

It was a super great experience and I feel so lucky to have been picked as one of the bloggers for the store’s bloggers’ tour. I already love the store to begin with, so being invited for a tour and some free shopping with their GC is totally SUPER XD We spent almost a couple of hours just going around buying and looking at stuff, because they are all so pretty and there are many things which I like about 5 colors of (”I want five of everything! - Biskit, Animal Crossing: Wild World) XD XD XD

A nice thing about Saizen is that I found in their store the same things I found in the hyaku-en shop in Yokohama, which I couldn’t find in other stores. I was not able to buy so much in the hyaku-en shop because I was worried about my luggage coming back to Manila (after having shopped from Disneyland Tokyo, Shibuya, Ueno, and Asakusa). With Saizen around, it’s like having the actual hyaku-en shop right here at home (^^,) I am definitely going back to visit them often - I love that store (^^,)

Shigure-san :">

Watching Yamato (^^,)

On the last day of the week of Eiga Sai, which was a Friday, we went to SM Mall of Asia to watch Yamato: Drummers of Japan. It was all so amazing! I totally loved it. Here are some photos I took; click on them to see the rest from the whole set. 

Eraser Party

During the week of June 22nd, my internet connection was totally wonky, so I went over to my sister’s place to work since her internet connection was fine. Before I worked, I took the liberty of taking a photo of her Eraser Party. Perhaps I should arrange my collection in the same manner too and take photos, apart from having them as props for my Pink Flamingo Pals XD 

Lamp Lovers

When my parents and I visited my sister to bring her the Mac, I took a photo of her new lamp and the lovers in front of it:

Colorful Keys XD

So this will be quite an old entry *_* I did this a few days after we moved to our current home, so that was sometime during the end of April or the beginning of May. I’ve just been so busy, and then it took me forever to upload the photos, and then my computer got sick (and I miss it because it’s still in the computer hospital) and then for some reason i.ph doesn’t work with Safari, and many other things. Anyway, I’m here now *Elle tone* XD

I put stickers on my keyboard XD

A Mystery Mogget Pursuer

So a few Saturdays ago, we went to my sister’s place after kendo to take a bath and prepare for dinner. Here is a familiar scene we have gotten used to as our Mystery Mogget Pursuer crawls under the bed and tries to catch and hold the struggling, confused Mogget, tricking him into playing with her though Mogget resists.  For some reason that we cannot understand, he greatly fears this pursuer.

Included

Forgive my shallowness XD

So this was taken a few days before our midterms in Nihongo. I was reading the book, and found this strip, and was quite amused at the facial expression of the “listener.” XD

XD Oo nga. Mababaw lang. But I was amused at the illustration and the slight changes in the listener’s facial expression XD    

Eyes Eyes

I was doing homework one time and as I was practicing how to read my own handwriting, I looked at my pencil and realized that my pencil buddy has strange eyes. 

Kampai!

Mihara-kun drinks to his first night after we moved in last month.

Shelf Buddies

I took these photos some time during the last week of April, after we have just moved in to our current home. I arranged by books in my shelf, and placed some shelf buddies with certain books ^.^

Goodbye Trees

I took these photos Sunday of last week, my last Sunday in our former home. I also picked all the ripe Jamaican Cherries and ate them on the spot XD 

 

And then sometime earlier this week, my mom and one of our helpers went over to the old house to get some saplings from the tree and to get more soil and some of the vegetables they planted. My mom told me of how she felt like the trees  said goodbye in their own way. As they picked more aratilis and the helper held on to its branches, the smaller tree just came off. It was uprooted and fell to the ground. And for some reason my mom felt much better and less attached to the old house. I also told her and my sister about the afternoon I said my goodbye to the trees, when, after I said goodbye, the wind started blowing and I kind of freaked out when a long branch from the bigger tree, with its leaves spreading out like hands, brushed against my head then down to my right shoulder and arm, and then the wind stopped and the branch moved back up again to its original position >.< 

Suddenly, A TV Room

I’ve been so busy and preoccupied, but it has all been fun. Especially all those times when I a fixing my things, or when I am in class, or when I am studying, or when I’d be hanging out downstairs with the family. 

Anyway, I will be posting a few more photos - the last ones taken from the old house. This was one was taken I think last Sunday, the last weekend spent there. By this time, almost all the furniture have been taken out, but because the cable connection was still there that time, there was nothing in the living room except my dad’s TV and his TV chair, and an electric fan. This is why he never slept in the new house until we all completely moved out. XD Suddenly, it’s like a super empty TV room. 

Last Few Shots - Front Yard

Last Friday, as I waited for my sister to pick me up for class, I took some photos of the front door, the front yard, the garage, and the upper part of the house ^.^ I’m not posting everything though, because medyo magulo na yung ibang parts XD A lot of things are put out in the garage kasi for the garage sale. Then yung front yard maraming plants for transfer na and for selling and giving away ^.^ 

*glare*

There is a Siamese cat in our neighborhood, notorious in the neighborhood-cat-community, for being playtomcat. Apart from the fact that we frequently hear him miaowing his feline heart out, we occasionally witness female cats frantically running away from him, or risking their lives being trapped in some tiny opening in a wall or whatever, just to get away from his dominating powers. On one occasion, I was distracted from work by angry miaowing from outside the house, and I found the notorious tomkitty cornering a thin white cat, who was deliberating on risking her neck by jumping from our roof. In the end, she jumped, leaving scratch marks on our windows and kitty poop on the ground (yes she was that terrified), just to get away from him. I looked back up at the notorious chaser, and he GLOWERED at me. 

I think he sees me as some kind of disturbance in his exciting kitty-chase, because whenever he chases a cat near our home and I come out to check on what the miaowing is all about, he gets distracted and the kitty he desires manages to escape for those few seconds. So whenever he sees me, even when he is merely resting (and not chasing anyone), he glares at me that I feel holes burning through my skin. So, I stick my tongue out at him and grin. Sometimes, I happily wave and I think it annoys him even more. 

Kasi naman. OA na ang kanyang desires ha. And when he miaows, para bang Lonely Cat na Lonely Cat ang dating. E lahat ng babaeng pusa dito tinatakbuhan sya. Palayo ha. XD

So anyway, some time last week, as I was waiting for my sister to pick me up for class, I heard some rustling of leaves and I turned to find Mr. Glaring Cat on our garden wall. He was grooming himself and I was about to take a photo when he saw me and glared. 

He lost weight, I noticed. He used to be chubbier and FLUFFIER before. XD Anyway, at least before we move out, I managed to take a photo of my Feline Friend (Feline Fiend). I’m sure he only thinks of me as “Interrupting Idiot” XD

By the way, I think what makes him hate me even more are those occasions when he is emotionally miaowing like an emo-cat, and then I step out of the house, and then he stops, hoping that some female cat is being let out, but then I step out, grin and wave at him. During these times, he glowers at me then walks away, and I can feel cat-cuss-words emanating from him.

Anyway when we move, di ko na sya makikita. UNLESS, he becomes desperate and really lonely and starts checking out the cats there. XD 

Neko Sake Set

For some reason, I never took photos of the stuff I bought from Japan before. Or if I did, they are now lost and somewhere in oblivion (Oblivion? Oblivion? Calm down. It’s oblivion not Oblivion.). Anyway, here’s the super cute sake set I got for Maro:

Mihara-san Shares Sushi with One of the Kokeshi Sisters

Tamad na Tamad Series

I napped a lot with Mogget and this is one of those lazy moments. No need to take my photo because Ganito Rin Katamad Ang Ichura Ko.

Big Round Eyes Series

So I was Mogget-sitting from Tuesday night til earlier this afternoon, and I took the liberty of taking his almost-annoying photos XD 

Turtle Owners

So I was telling Madarame-kun to check out the new photos with OUR turtle. (Our, meaning my household.)

He asks: We have a turtle?

I respond: Yes. We have a turtle.

LMAO.

*amused*

Sprinkles in My Dream

I woke up knowing I had a vivid dream but I couldn’t remember it because I kind of panicked about the time and got confused what day it is. Then as I was going through some images, I came across an image of a small mountain of sprinkles - a combination of rainbow and chocolate sprinkles. Suddenly, my heart started to race (I am not sure why) and I leaned back on my seat. Fragments of my dream came back to me.

I was in an outdoor ice cream place, and I was so excited because it was supposed to be really good ice cream and it was so popular one in my dream. I know there were loads of ice cream flavors and colors, but I decided to just choose a simple one, and get a small serving, so that I can try other flavors if I still wanted more ice cream. There were many people but when it was my turn, there was suddenly no line and I was able to order right away. At this time, I can vaguely remember having someone with me - it’s either my daughter or a talking cat. I remember guiding a child by the hand, though, but I also remember talking to a cat beside me about the ice cream flavors, and they were never around at the same time. 

So, when I got to the counter, the lady asked me what size I wanted, and I remember seeing four different ones - there was small, medium, large, and a jumbo cup. All the paper cups were in blue, with cartoony designs which reminded my of the Sanrio Shinkansen. I chose the smallest one, but ordered two cups. I wanted two scoops but wanted them in different flavors. I then realized though, that there were also LOADS of toppings to choose from, and I almost hyperventilated with excitement. So, I ordered plain vanilla, for both orders. I moved on to the toppings section, and I always want sprinkles on my ice cream, so I pointed at the rainbow sprinkles. However, I saw the chocolate sprinkles and said I wanted those too. The lady said I can only choose one topping per ice cream, so she asked if she should put rainbow sprinkles on one ice cream, and chocolate sprinkles on the other. Quickly, I decided yes, and thought that I can just always order more ice cream lateron if I still wanted them, plus I can come back to the store some other day to try out the other flavors.

As she scooped some sprinkles though, I noticed that my two scoops of ice cream were not in separate cups, but were placed in a square plastic container. She neatly placed the ice cream though, so that they hardly touched each other. Then she sprinkled one with chocolate sprinkles, and the other with rainbow sprinkles. At the back of my head though, I was like, they’d all get mixed up when the ice cream melts. Finally, I took my weirdo ice cream and walked back to a table where my other companions were already having ice cream, and my daughter was so excited to share it with me.

All this I remembered when I saw the image showing a mixture of rainbow and chocolate sprinkles. >.<

Catmare and Soup Bowls

My sister saw one of these soup bowls and took the one with dumplings in it >.< Before she took it, we took photos of them with the catmare cats. 

Photo Plans

Hindi man lang umabot sa Boracay.

Some Images of Home

Some time last year, I started taking some photos of some parts of our house since we are in the process of moving out. When I had tea in the backyard, I took photos, and as my parents put up some Christmas decor for our last Christmas here, I took photos too. Some time last week, or two weeks ago, I took some random photos of the living room. I think I was feeling especially nice that day and was loving the weather so I stayed by the door and watched the trees and plants moving with the wind and enjoying the sun. Then, I just felt like taking some photos of the house again.

This is the tall wooden cat which faces the front door. I think it’s some kind of guardian cat. 

This is one angle of the living room; I took it from the hallway leading to the other bedrooms and one of the bathrooms.

This is the basket of “flowers” by the front door.

This, I think, is our oldest lamp. When I was a child, I always sat beside it and loved looking at the Egyptian designs around it.

Amanda’s Last Practice for January

Last Saturday was Amanda’s last practice with us, since she will be flying back to Belgium soon. After kendo we had our dinner at the usual place then headed to UCC for coffee and dessert. Then we had our photos taken - all girls, then all boys. Won’t post na the one for the boys

Some College Friends

So, I will write first about real live people and let you rest from catmares, cactus pups, and Japanese girls.

Just sharing some photos I grabbed from Lora - these were taken from last Saturday’s get together

My Kokeshi

This was the kokeshi doll I picked for myself. I also bought one for my sister, for Cecile M., and Cecille F. I don’t remember if I ever took a picture of all four dolls. I wish I had and that I could find it if I did, because each kokeshi doll was carefully chosen - each one either looked similar to the person or captured an aspect of the person’s character (^^,)

So anyway, I’m not sure if I have a photo of those, so I just took a photo of the kokeshi that I have:

And of course, somebody had to join in:

Would You Like Some Onigiri?

One of my “onigiri memories” was when I ate a HUGE piece with my hands, as Koji-san taught me (^^,) It was the nth dish served that night and I sat across Koji-san, and a lot of them couldn’t eat any more. It was one of the funnest and happiest nights I had in Tokyo (^^,) I will always feel grateful to Koji-san for that (^^,) How about you? What are your associations with onigiri?

Mihara-san with the Christmas Cake Too!

Of course, hindi magpapahuli…

Would you like to share with Mihara-san’s Christmas Cake? 

Reina-san with Christmas Cake

Of course everyone wants to have a photo with the Christmas Cake. It’s late, since the New Year has already begun, but we discovered the Christmas Cake in a shopping bag just recently

61st Wedding Anniversary

These are the grand-uncle and grand-aunt I mentioned in my dinner party entry from last Sunday - apart from my grand-uncle’s 88th birthday, some time in December was also their 61st wedding anniversary (^^,) Their kids made the dinner party into a multi-celebration so it was a really special occasion. The story of this couple is also somehow part of the slide shows, where sepia photos of them from college years were shown. (Actually, sa mga pictures na pinakita sa slide shows of the whole clan, makikita ang “Evolution of the Ladies’ Swimsuit” hahahahaha! Pati na rin ang “Evolution of Hairstyles” at “Evolution of Ladies’ Dresses” hehehe. But somehow they all looked beautiful back then, when ladies were properly dressed ladies.)

So anyway, here was a photo I took. They were with my parents and their cousin but ang gulo gulo ng background so I’m just showing my grand-uncle and grand-aunt. 61 years na sila kasal! Awwww (^^,) 

Is it just me or does he remind you (especially of you are an Atenean Psych Major) of Fr. Bu? Anyway basta ayan sila. Sweet pa rin (^^,) Hindi lang apparent sa photo but in reality, he seems to always be completely present for her (^^,)  

Catmare with Dinnerware

I wrote previously that the last weekend was a party weekend, and during the dinner party last Sunday for my grand-uncle, three cats came along with me, and brought Christmas Cake with them. I wanted to take their photos, but initially, they felt somewhat anti-social, and stayed behind the table napkin:

Eventually, though, they agreed to un-hide themselves, but only if they could stay near the forks:

Later on, they took out their Christmas Cake because they were starting to feel festive

Party Weekend

My last weekend before the first work week of the year starts is full of fun get togethers (^^,)

(By the way, I spent most of my weekend computer-less because I had problems with my video card and monitor. I actually experienced withdrawal symptoms and anxiety! So anyway I’m here now *elle tone* Wide awake!)

Saturday noon I met up with my friend Cecille and her sister Cynch, to have lunch at Som’s (love the green curry) then shop and have coffee in Rockwell. I wasn’t in shopping mode but I enjoyed the walk and being with them. I only bought some makeup stuff and saline for my eyes (which have not been away from their lenses since New Year’s Eve hehehe). We then had coffee in Figaro, went around a bit more, then left to go home around 5:30 PM. 

Back home, I was getting a little stressed out about the computer problem, so I decided to clean up the portion of my room where I work, and I dusted the corners and the back of the desks and the cables and everything. I didn’t want to turn the computer on and find it still problematic, so I decided to clean up the keyboard too (yes I took out each character and cleaned the whole thing up, except for the space bar and the enter key, because I did that with an old keyboard and was never able to put it back properly). Had dinner with my dad in the kitchen (I wasn’t hungry yet because of my anxiety but he cooked and called me over so I told him about my computer problem and ate a bit.) Then, as I continued to clean the keyboard, I suddenly felt agitated and wanted to go out, so, at the last minute, I decided to go to the mini reunion of my college psychmates. I finished preparing around midnight, at which time Peter and Emyr picked me up using Peter’s car. When we got to Rea’s, there were only 7 of us in total, the other four people being Lora, Anthere, John, and Rea. We went home around 3 am, but it was still fun and I was somewhat hyper because I was around real, living people whom I’ve known for a long time, plus everyone was in a nice mood and everyone was really pleasant, so I really liked it and was so glad that I went. Very briefly though, there was just a non-serious question which briefly made me wish I could disappear, though I don’t think they noticed I was totally uncomfortable for a very brief moment, except perhaps 1 or 2 of them, but I guess I managed quite well, though I still prefer that the non-serious question didn’t catch me off guard But anyway when I get the pics I’ll post them here because it was a nice night and I really enjoyed being around them

Today, Sunday, I wanted to just stay home but my computer problem was starting to tick me off, so in the afternoon I took a nap with NHK on as some old Japanese guy sang, then when I woke up, I made myself fresh strawberries with milk and ice, took it out in backyard, and enjoyed it with the book I’m reading now (I finished “The Amber Spyglass” - I liked “The Sublte Knife” most), “The Thief” who sometimes sounds like me. I didn’t want to think of what I was going to do later in the day, because I was really experiencing withdrawal symptoms from being computer-less. Just then, my mom came out and told me I should just join her and my dad to this dinner party to celebrate the 88th or 89th birthday of a grand-uncle, and celebrate his 61st wedding anniversary with his wife. It was the father’s side of my dad, and I feel somewhat more comfortable with our relatives there even if I barely know them and usually, gatherings with my dad’s father’s side are more… relaxed, elegant, and simple yet fun. I guess it’s also because the people are more interesting since they come from all over the globe (which also explains why a lot of us do not know each other) and they all look more fulfilled and happier with their lives. So, in the end, I decided to go, and wore a new purple dress with the black tights I bought from Japan (and it’s the first time I’m wearing them because I am more often in slippers or sneakers if my feet are not in seiza or on the bed). As I stepped out of the room, I found my mom wearing black pants and a purple lacy blouse, so she laughed and said we ARE mom and daughter. We went out to the garage and found my dad wearing black pants and nice black shoes and a purple collared shirt, so he was annoyed that we all looked like eggplants. (lmao)

So anyway we went to the dinner party (where 95% of the people are my parents’ age and the age of their parents) and I was just quiet and smiled at everyone who said hi to me because we are all related in one way or another even if we didn’t know each other. The food was great and there was LOTS of coffee and I felt comfortable in my clothes so it was all nice and fun. People who talked to my parents thought I was around 21 years old and some asked if I have already graduated from college and if I have started working already I told my mom that if I happened to bring a date who is around the same age as theirs then he would just blend in with everyone else and I would be assumed to be his daughter or something So anyway, there were slideshows shown of old (and I mean really old) photos, way back from my dad’s grandparents until more recent years, and I was totally amazed at how beautiful everyone seemed to be during the 20s to 40s, and how much more elegant families appeared in photos that time. A photo of my great grandmother was shown, and my mom told me that it was the same great grandmother who foretold that I was going to be a girl, years before I was born That time, my sister was a newly born, so I wasn’t going to be born in another 6 years, but that time my great grandmother told my dad that his next child will be another girl.

So towards the end of the dinner party, more pictures were taken, and I regret not having taken a photo of the my grand-uncle’s side of the family, where my parents are included, and it would have been great to share their photo here showing how HUGE the family is (hindi pa kasama lahat ng wala dito sa Pilipinas), though I managed to take a photo of my grand-uncle and my grand-aunt with my parents and their cousin. Will post it next time

After the dinner party (it was held in a hotel in Quezon City), we stepped out and realized it had rained while we were inside, and it all felt beautiful (^^,) The weather was so lovely and I felt so light and inspired by all the good and happy energies around me. (^^,) 

Back home, my dad helped me fix the computer and I can only guess how EAGER he is to use his fast-drying contact cleaner on my computer parts After a while, ta-dah, it’s okay now (^^,) Have to catch up on stuff!

By the way, I brought Puuru, Broody, and Husky to the party, and a mini-Christmas cake for them Took photos and I will post some here next time too

This weekend has been really nice and fun; I guess it was also good that I was kept away from my computer (^^,) And now it’s back to normal and I can work tomorrow and do normal stuff again. (^^,)

P.S. I loved the eye makeup I used tonight I blended very light beige, matte lavender (to go with my purple dress), and earthy brown which mixed well with the lavender shade. The photographer of the venue took my photo (as she did with everyone else) and I bought it because I liked my happy look even my face looked like a huge plate (camera was too close and my face looked too white in the flash). 

My Mini Blackboard

I just wrote that to see how what it looks like with writing on it I bought this two or three weeks ago, and this photo is among those uploaded to my computer really late. Now, on this board, I list down my intended purchases for my games. 

With Icing on Fingers

Found this really really old photo of me when I was about two years old, and I was feasting on the icing on my fingers.

So, at this time, he was already fully grown and waiting though he didn’t know that yet.

(lmao) 

(rofl)

Isn’t this kid psycho?

Happy Photos (^^,)

Took lots of photos but posting just a couple Many pics from the game and the raffle and the two Santas but won’t post them all for the sake of the people in those photos  

So here are a couple of the happy photos. One is with Kato-sensei who’s leaving for Tokyo T.T The other is with two other sensei who were there last night and practiced kendo too before that (^^,)

Gamer Girl

Wishes there was an onsen at the back of her home (^^,)

Is a sweet person.

Loves chocolate drinks.

Adores cats.

Enjoys anime.

Visits Biskit everyday in AC:WW.

Intends to visit Japan regularly.

Likes taking pictures.

Never gets tired of Morrowind.

Lives healthy.

Collects fruity and flowery scents.

Is crazy about crazy lace agate.

Hyperballad in Yokohama

Was looking at some photos of Yokohama that I took, when Hyperballad started playing in my iTunes. Love love love. 

As I Had Tea in The Backyard

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned I took some photos as I had tea in our backyard and the weather was perfect. Here are some of the photos. I guess I’m also taking more photos because we’re leaving soon

The Early Evening Sky

Further to the blog entry I mentioned yesterday, I also took a photo of the color of the sky at that time - it was much prettier of course if you could see the entire sky because it was all a mixture of blue and purple and a bit of dark pink. I’m posting a couple of pics because the street light peeked in one of them and steals attention, though that same photo covered a bigger patch of the sky than the other one. I was just standing next to the giant leaf plant and could only see this part of the sky so it’s the part I took a picture of

Tea in The Garden

I spent some time from my lunch break having my green tea in our backyard (^^,) The wind and the sun felt really nice and everything was quiet except for the rustling of the leaves which fell from the trees and the chirping of the birds (^^,) I went back inside to get my digicam then took my nth cup of green tea out again to take some photos. Will post them next time because I’m very very busy this entire week. I was hoping to take a photo of the centipede which I always, always see whenever I step out, but he wasn’t around today. 

Golden Series

So parang Golden Series ang nangyari di ba  

Now I shall put some things away then study. I haven’t even started on my homework yet. 

Argh. “Country Hell” on loop

Emote

Reina-san and the Golden Beads

Christmas Cactus

So I took a photo of Ciotolina and Bastardino by the Christmas door

Packing for Cat-Sitting

Some time in August, I cat-sat for like 3 of 4 days, when I wrote about drinking Maxim coffee and having home made spaghetti. I totally forgot to post a pic of the stuff I brought, or the bag I used It’s the lovely bag I bought from Loft, where they placed my bag IN a shopping bag (I brought my yoga mat with me since I was going to stay with the king cat for quite some time.

MOGA the GOMA Eater

Okay, so Mogget has a lot of nicknames, one of them Moga. 

Moga likes chewing on rubber slippers, occasionally swallowing the bits he chews off. 

So anyway, here are some of the pics I took of him during my stay in his kingdom for the past couple of days. 

Fireworks

This was taken months ago. It was when I bought a pin cushion for all my pins then realized I have way too many pins  

With the black background, they look like fireworks